Iowa Interstate Firefighter Fundraising Trips Return To Chillicothe June 3!

 After a four-year gap, the Iowa Interstate Railroad is bringing excursions to Chillicothe on Saturday, June 3, 2023!

The railroad has already done this on three occasions, and like the first two, trips will presumably serve both Henry and Chillicothe, starting at the former. 

Details have yet to be worked out, but should be available shortly along with a flyer. See below for highlights from the 2014, 2016 and 2019 train trips.


CAPTION: The Iowa Interstate Railroad operated four roundtrips between Henry and Chillicothe for the public and volunteers on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Power for these trips was IAIS 151 and 154 - both SD38-2s - bracketing eight former Montreal commuter coaches. Scenes are taken at various locations inside the train and trackside throughout the day between Henry, Sparland and Chillicothe. Runs were made to raise funds for local volunteer fire departments.


CAPTION: The Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. operated roundtrip passenger excursions between Henry and Chillicothe, Illinois September 10, 2016 as fundraisers for local fire departments. IAIS GP38-2s 708 & 712 bracketed eight former Montreal commuter rail coaches for the trips.

The absolute best series of trips happened on May 18, 2019 when they were pulled by a steam locomotive! 


CAPTION: Iowa Interstate 2-10-2 6988 pulls a deadhead move from Silvis to Chillicothe, Illinois May 17, 2019 for the next day's excursions. IAIS 718 pulled the train on the Peoria Subdivision.



CAPTION: IAIS 6988, a 2-10-2 QJ-Class steam locomotive imported from China in 2006 by Rail Development Corporation, led five short runs from Chillicothe to near Henry, Illinois on Saturday, May 18, 2019. I rode the first run and chased the other four. The last three of these ran during a series of heavy showers and thunderstorms (scenes include all but the third run). Consist includes IAIS 6988 & tender, water car, tool car, five ex-Pennsylvania RR P70 coaches and a GP38-2 diesel locomotive, IAIS 718.


CAPTION: After completing five excursions out of Chillicothe, Illinois Saturday, May 18, 2019, IAIS 6988 pulls its consist north to Bureau Junction where it will be kept before making trips out of Annawan Sunday.

Trips this year will be pulled by diesels, as Chinese-built 2-10-2 6988 is stored awaiting a 15-year, Federally-mandated inspection at Railway Heritage of Midwest America's Silvis, Illinois shop. Sister 7081 remains in storage at Newton, Iowa. 

- David P. Jordan

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